This is one conference you won't want to miss!
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
The 83rd session of the Texas Legislature is only three months away. Once again, all eyes will be focused on the drafting of a new state budget. When the session ends next May, the state will have a new multi-billion-dollar roadmap for spending for the next two years. Watching the budget process and the legislative actions that surround it will be of enormous interest to state agency officials, state employees, private sector businesses and Texas taxpayers.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and The University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs are teaming up for the 8th Biennial Legislative Communication Conference on Tuesday, Oct. 16. This jointly-sponsored conference was initiated in 1998 and is a perennial sell-out. The all-day conference features government executives, board appointees, senior staff and elected officials who discuss issues related to the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature.
The state budget will be the most closely watched issue of the legislative session. The conference will feature House Appropriations Chair Rep. Jim Pitts delivering a keynote address as well as a panel including the budget directors of the Lt. Governor and House Speaker's offices and the Legislative Budget Board. Another panel will feature executives and board members of a variety of state agencies who will address innovative ideas the state will incorporate to meet the challenges of the legislative session.
One of most anticipated topics for state agencies and state employees will be an address by Ann Bishop, executive director of the Employees Retirement System of Texas, who will bring information on the "future reality" of state employee benefits.
Several other members of the Texas House and Senate and key staff in the state leadership's offices will offer insight on the upcoming session from an insider's point of view while Sen. Kirk Watson will deliver a keynote on the session from a hometown vantage point. The agenda will include a session on public-private partnerships regarding the Capitol Complex, and the day always ends with a panel of political pundits and their predictions for the upcoming elections and issues related to the 83rd Legislature.
Those who plan to attend are urged to register early. Once capacity is reached, no more registrations can be accepted.
Mary Scott Nabers is president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., co-founder of Gemini Global Group and author of 'Collaboration Nation.'
Contact Mary at mnabers@spartnerships.com.
